Nursing Cover and Method for Converting Cover to a Purse

ABSTRACT

A nursing cover and purse includes a flat rectangular piece of fabric secured with a strap to conceal breastfeeding. The nursing cover and purse also includes a female connector at each corner, two male connectors at substantially a center of the top hem, two male connectors at substantially a center of a bottom hem, wherein the male and female connectors are joined to secure the flat rectangular panel of fabric into a folded configuration. A plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem, a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem, the plurality of connecting elements are connected to the plurality of mating elements to convert the flat rectangular panel of fabric from the folded configuration to a fully functioning purse with strap for carrying.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a nursing cover and purse to be used as a purse for carrying personal and baby items and as a cover for breastfeeding. The invention also relates to a method for converting a purse to a cover for breastfeeding.

b) Description of the Prior Art

Mothers that breastfeed frequently find themselves in need of a cover for modesty while breastfeeding. Much of the prior art consists of a nursing cover in some configuration wherein the cover is only a cover. Other prior art consists of a purse that converts into a nursing pillow but is not a cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,451,142 discloses a bag, which opens to form a pillow and a blanket. U.S. Pat. No. 1,677,743 discloses a bag having outer surfaces A, A′ and inner surfaces B, B′, which are formed of padding. The bag is turned inside out to form a cushion.

Breast feeding covers and handbags are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,555,790, U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,771, U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,000, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,662, U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,960, Application Publication US 2008/0301847, Application Publication US 2007/0246492, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 299,384, and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 294,195.

However, none of the prior art, whether taken alone or in any combination, show or suggest a combination of a purse, a diaper bag for holding baby items and a method for converting a purse to a cover for breastfeeding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a nursing purse and a method for converting a purse to nursing cover, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which provide all of the functions which the mother of an infant requires in one device, that is a purse, a diaper bag for holding baby items and a breastfeeding cover.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a nursing purse. The nursing purse comprises a flat rectangular panel of fabric that when folded and secured with a plurality of connecters forms a purse with a fully functioning handle. A plurality of pockets are sewn into the flat rectangular panel of fabric and are accessible from within the fully functioning purse to hold belongings, as well, a largest pocket and two smaller pockets along the bottom hem each include an opening at an opposite of their closures that provide accessibility when the nursing cover and purse is in the folded configuration and when draped to hide breastfeeding. Thus one device simultaneously acts as a purse, diaper bag, and breastfeeding cover.

There is also provided a method for converting a purse to a nursing cover. The method comprises providing a flat rectangular panel of fabric including a top hem, the top hem is divided into three sections. The flat rectangular panel of fabric including a female connector at each corner, two male connectors at substantially a center of the top hem, two male connectors at substantially a center of a bottom hem, wherein the male and female connectors are joined to secure the flat rectangular panel of fabric into a folded configuration. The flat rectangular panel of fabric including a strap connected to the top hem of the flat rectangular panel of fabric, the strap securing the flat rectangular panel of fabric in place to hide breastfeeding. At least one clasp attached to each side of the top hem, the at least one clasp connected to a fabric at substantially center of the top hem when in the folded configuration, the at least one clasp provide clasping security when flat rectangular panel of fabric is draped to hide breastfeeding. A plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem, a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem, the plurality of connecting elements are connected to the plurality of mating elements to convert the flat rectangular panel of fabric from the folded configuration to a fully functioning purse. The fully function purse utilized the strap connected to the top hem as a carrying support.

In accordance with another feature of the invention the center section of the top hem includes a resilient semi-rigid insert that retains shape to provide a sightline below fabric when draped to hide breastfeeding.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the exterior corners of the top hem include fasteners to secure the nursing cover to material other than the cover to aid in securing the nursing cover in place.

The nursing purse is able to be converted quickly and easily from a purse to nursing cover or nursing cover to purse. For use as a purse, the strap makes carrying convenient and easy. All pockets are accessible in this configuration and are amply sized to hold personal and baby related items.

For use as a nursing cover, the strap secures the flat rectangular panel of fabric to provide modesty while nursing. All pockets are accessible in this configuration and are amply sized to hold personal and baby related items.

The novelty of the nursing purse is that no other device exists that acts as a devise for nursing, feeding, is portable, comfortable, ergonomic, able to be used “on the go” and functions as a purse which can carry general contents of a purse or diaper bag.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a nursing purse and a method for converting a purse to a nursing cover, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior side of a nursing cover and purse in the flat (open) rectangular position as resting against a flat surface.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior side of a nursing cover and purse in the flat (open) rectangular position as resting against a flat surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front side of a nursing cover and purse in the folded (purse) position as resting against a flat surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back side of a nursing cover and purse in the folded (purse) position as resting against a flat surface.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top half interior side of a nursing cover and purse in the folded (purse) position as resting against a flat surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top half interior side of a nursing cover and purse in the folded (purse) position as resting against a flat surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments or examples of the invention may be implemented in numerous ways, including as an apparatus, system, or process. A detailed description of one or more examples is provided below along with the accompanying figures. The detailed description is provided in connection with such examples, but is not limited to any particular example. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the descriptions provided may be used for implementation according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates the Exterior Flat Panel assembly of the nursing cover and purse. Here, nursing cover 100 includes top hem 101, a resilient semi-rigid insert 102, at least one clasp attached to each side 103, a plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem 104, a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem 105, a strap connected to the top hem 106, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 107-117, large pocket closures 118 and 119, small pocket closures 120-125, pocket tacks 126 and 127, left edge stitch 128, right edge stitch 129, and bottom edge stitch 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates the Interior Flat Panel assembly of the nursing cover and purse. Here, nursing cover 100 includes at least one clasp attached to each side 103, a strap connected to the top hem 106, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 107-117, a fabric piece at substantially the center of the top hem 202 for clasps 103 to attach to when in the folded configuration, two female connectors at each corner 203, two male connectors at substantially center 204 for connection to female connectors 203 when in the folded configuration, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 205-208, top left pocket 209, top right pocket 210, bottom left pocket 211, bottom right pocket 212, large center bottom pocket 213, a female connector at substantially center of the top hem 214, a male connector at substantially the center of the bottom hem 215.

FIG. 3 illustrates the Top Exterior Folded assembly of the nursing cover and purse. Here, nursing cover 100 includes a strap connected to the top hem 106, a resilient semi-rigid insert 102, a plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem 104 connected to a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem 105, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 115, large pocket closure 118, and bottom edge stitch 130.

FIG. 4 illustrates the Bottom Exterior Folded assembly of the nursing cover and purse. Here, nursing cover 100 includes a strap connected to the top hem 106, a plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem 104 connected to a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem 105, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 109 and 110, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 115, and large pocket closure 118.

FIG. 5 illustrates the Top Interior Folded assembly of the nursing cover and purse. Here, nursing cover 100 includes a strap connected to the top hem 106, a plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem 104 connected to a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem 105, at least one clasp attached to each side 103 connected to a fabric piece at substantially the center of the top hem 202, small pocket closures 120 and 121, left edge stitch 128, right edge stitch 129, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 115, and a female connector at substantially center of the top hem 214 used to connect with male connector 215 when in the folded configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates the Bottom Interior Folded assembly of the nursing cover and purse. Here, nursing cover 100 includes a strap connected to the top hem 106, large pocket closures 119, small pocket closures 124 and 125, female connectors at each corner 203 connected to two male connectors at substantially center 204, a male connector at substantially the center of the bottom hem 215 used to connect with female connecter 214 when in the folded configuration, a reinforced stich line on edge of pockets 115, and a plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem 104 connected to a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem 105. 

What is claimed:
 1. A nursing cover and purse comprising: a flat rectangular panel of fabric including a top hem, the top hem is divided into three sections, a middle section of the top hem includes a resilient semi-rigid insert that retains shape to provide a sightline below fabric when draped to hide breastfeeding; the flat rectangular panel of fabric including a female connector at each corner, two male connectors at substantially a center of the top hem, two male connectors at substantially a center of a bottom hem, wherein the male and female connectors are joined to secure the flat rectangular panel of fabric into a folded configuration; a strap connected to the top hem of the flat rectangular panel of fabric, the strap securing the flat rectangular panel of fabric in place to hide breastfeeding; at least one clasp attached to each side of the top hem, the at least one clasp connected to a fabric at substantially center of the top hem when in the folded configuration, the at least one clasp provide clasping security when flat rectangular panel of fabric is draped to hide breastfeeding; a plurality of connecting elements attached to the bottom hem, a plurality of mating elements attached to the top hem, the plurality of connecting elements are connected to the plurality of mating elements to convert the flat rectangular panel of fabric from the folded configuration to a fully functioning purse; the fully function purse utilized the strap connected to the top hem as a carrying support.
 2. The nursing cover and purse of claim 1; wherein the strap has a length that is adjustable to make shorter or longer.
 3. The nursing cover and purse of claim 2; wherein the length of the strap is adjusted by a cord that runs the length of the strap that is shortened or lengthened through a clip.
 4. The nursing cover and purse of claim 1; wherein a plurality of pockets are sewn into the flat rectangular panel of fabric are accessible from within the fully functioning purse to hold belongings.
 5. The nursing cover and purse of claim 4; wherein a largest pocket of the plurality of pockets along the bottom hem which includes a closure.
 6. The nursing cover and purse of claim 5; wherein two smaller pockets along the bottom hem which include closures, two smaller pockets along the top hem.
 7. The nursing cover and purse of claim 6; wherein the two smaller pockets along the top hem include closures.
 8. The nursing cover and purse of claim 6; wherein the largest pocket and two smaller pockets along the bottom hem each include an opening at an opposite of their closures that provide accessibility when the nursing cover and purse is in the folded configuration and when draped to hide breastfeeding. 